- Signs of a dried up yew tree
- Why does the yew dry up?
- Don't forget yew in winter
- Protect yew with a layer of mulch
Brown yew needles that later fall off are rarely a sign of disease. It is more likely that the yew has dried up. Although yews are very robust trees, they need some attention, especially in the initial period after planting. This will prevent the yew from drying out.
Young yew trees need a lot of water, otherwise they will dry out
Signs of a dried up yew tree
- Brown needles
- falling needles
- dry branches
If the yew gets a lot of brown needles that fall off and the branches break easily, you can assume that the yew has dried up.
You can try to save them if there are still some healthy branches on the tree. Prune the yew heavily and water the tree regularly. However, avoid waterlogging.
Why does the yew dry up?
Yew trees have very soft evergreen needles. They evaporate a lot of water through these needles, so a yew tree always needs well-moist soil.
Older yew trees are generally not at risk of drying out. They have long, deep roots that allow them to absorb enough moisture from deep layers.
The roots of newly planted yew trees and trees that have only been growing in the garden for a few years are not yet strong enough. It is therefore necessary to water the trees more frequently.
Don't forget yew in winter
Like many other trees in the garden, the yew is often forgotten in winter. This can become a problem when the winter is very dry. Constantly frozen ground that does not allow moisture to reach the roots also harms the yew.
Water the yew on frost-free days, especially if you have only planted them in recent years. This will prevent the yew from drying out.
Protect yew with a layer of mulch
In the spring, lay a layer of mulch under the yew tree. This keeps the moisture in the soil longer. At the same time, the decomposed mulch material fertilizes the soil and provides the yew with nutrients.
tips
After the winter, some yew trees also have brown needles without the tree having dried up. This needle discoloration is caused by intense exposure to the winter sun. This is not dangerous, the yew recovers very quickly in the spring.